[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I really don't think that the Infiniti really belongs in that group; it really wasn't a front runner.

Not a front runner?

Impressive list if it's not a "front runner":

Drivers' Champion 2020
Independent Drivers' Champion 2020
Independent Teams' Champion 2020

Drivers' Champion 2021
Independent Drivers' Champion 2021
TEAMS' champion 2021
Independent Teams' Champion 2021

You're right mate, it's definitely not a front runner!

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Won’t they be using the Aiden Moffat hospitality, it went off for a rebrand over the winter

Correct. Regarding RWD I think it'd be a massive shame if it were to be discontinued in the series, just another variable taken away

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Not a front runner?

You're right mate, it's definitely not a front runner!

As I wrote, and which you chose not to quote, the car was a winner in the hands of, basically, just one driver, Sutton. There is no doubt in my mind, and possibly most observers of the BTCC, that if Sutton had not been in a team with the Infinity then that car would have languished in the middle of the pack, or even at the back.

Again, you ignore the fact that the car only one or was it two races in the hands of Moffett, and that was only after Sutton had given him extensive coaching on how to get the most out of the package. And you cannot ignore the fact that after Sutton moved to Motorbase that the car never really featured again in the hands of any other driver.

Yes, the car certainly had the potential to be a permanent front runner, I agree, but it would appear that only one driver had the ability to get that potential out of the car race after race.

[thetool]

All the cars on the grid are capable of winning the championship. Just a product of the NGTC ruleset. Put Sutton (and his engineer) in the Cupra this year and he'd finish in the top 5. Look at the Focus for example, languished for a while when it had either sub-par drivers or driver/engineers that couldn't get to grips with NGTC cars (Giovanardi, for example), but then as soon as Jake Hill and Ash Sutton end up in it, it's a championship contender. The Hyundai is another example, middle of the pack at best one year, but then put Ingram (and his engineer) in it and it's race winner.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Possibly again if the rumours of outlawing RWD are true? The Giulia was also considered as a replacement for the Infinitis.

Speaking of which...

"This would make a fantastic BTCC platform," Jason Plato, 5th April 2023.

https://youtu.be/J-j5yUlqf4c?t=205

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Speaking of which...

"This would make a fantastic BTCC platform," Jason Plato, 5th April 2023.

https://youtu.be/J-j5yUlqf4c?t=205

That's how the discussion got started. See the previous page.

[Craner Curves]

Has anyone seen this comment from Jason Plato? https://youtu.be/J-j5yUlqf4c?t=205

[touringlegend]

Well Matt Neal said they’ve spoken to other manufacturers who could be interested and he hasn’t ruled out driving himself.

I’ll say it then, JP and MN in two works Alfas in 2024

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Well Matt Neal said they’ve spoken to other manufacturers who could be interested and he hasn’t ruled out driving himself.

I’ll say it then, JP and MN in two works Alfas in 2024

Worth considering that the Guila goes out of production in the next 12 months…. And how many did Alfa GB sell last year. No chance of a works entry and little hope of any support

[mf51]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Worth considering that the Guila goes out of production in the next 12 months…. And how many did Alfa GB sell last year. No chance of a works entry and little hope of any support

A car manufacturer doesn’t have to be a high volume seller to invest. They may wish to enter the series to promote their brand.
I like the idea of JP and MN but can’t help but think the seats should go to newer upcoming drivers.

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by mf51

A car manufacturer doesn’t have to be a high volume seller to invest. They may wish to enter the series to promote their brand.
I like the idea of JP and MN but can’t help but think the seats should go to newer upcoming drivers.

All they have to do is to raise the budget just like anyone else.

[S griffin]

Not everyone needs to raise a budget. Some have got enough as it is.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not everyone needs to raise a budget. Some have got enough as it is.

As before, every single team needs a budget. Sutton and Cammish get paid, but team still receives a budget. Repeatedly claiming otherwise doesn't make silly claims any more true.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not everyone needs to raise a budget. Some have got enough as it is.

Why do all the cars have pretty liveries with sponsor logos on then? If some people can run their car without having to raise a budget

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not everyone needs to raise a budget. Some have got enough as it is.

Wealthy people don't get weathly by spending their own money. Getting someone to pay for your racing AND take home a wage is Rob Huff/Yvan Muller/Jason Plato levels of motorracing business brain.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by mf51

A car manufacturer doesn’t have to be a high volume seller to invest. They may wish to enter the series to promote their brand.
I like the idea of JP and MN but can’t help but think the seats should go to newer upcoming drivers.

It’s a point of view. I cannot remember the last time a low volume manufacturer ran with any tangible support - Lexus ? At least it gave Chris Harris the title of “Touring Car Driver”…

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I cannot remember the last time a low volume manufacturer ran with any tangible support - Lexus ?

Infiniti, SOP.
Subaru, BMR.
Alfa, HMS.
Vauxhall, PMR.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

At least it gave Chris Harris the title of “Touring Car Driver”…

I think it was Steve Sutcliffe in the Lexus for the '01 season finale

[Pickles]

Subaru was the last manufacturer I believe, Alfa and Vauxhall were more on a dealer level.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Infiniti, SOP.
Subaru, BMR.
Alfa, HMS.
Vauxhall, PMR.

I rest my case - the Alfa had no manufacturer support

[Pickles]

And you'd imagine that now Alfa are owned by Stellantis (along with Vauxhall and many others) that there won't be any manufacturer support in the near future

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Subaru was the last manufacturer I believe, Alfa and Vauxhall were more on a dealer level.

Vauxhall wasn't even Vauxhall cars, the deal was done via their small vans division, and was more of a contra deal for fleet sales than actual sponsorship.

[mphplastering]

So media day is Wednesday open to the public. Tuesday is closed to the public and is when all photos are taken for tv. Who is filling 3rd one Motorsport seat? Could we get any leaked info tomorrow

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by mphplastering

So media day is Wednesday open to the public. Tuesday is closed to the public and is when all photos are taken for tv. Who is filling 3rd one Motorsport seat? Could we get any leaked info tomorrow

1 or 2 seats to announce at One Motorsport? I think a Plato u-turn with his decision swing by the engine swap to the NB unit. And if there’s a 4th car there then Smelt or Proctor perhaps.

Adrian Flux and Rich Energy livery as well.

[mphplastering]

Originally Posted by Millvi

1 or 2 seats to announce at One Motorsport? I think a Plato u-turn with his decision swing by the engine swap to the NB unit. And if there’s a 4th car there then Smelt or Proctor perhaps.


Adrian Flux and Rich Energy livery as well.

Like your thinking